Jane Willan

Author of

Shadow of DeathCrooked Lane Books, 2018

Reverend Jane Willan is Pastor of the Congregational Church of Paxton, Massachusetts. Jane has a Master’s of Science degree from Boston University, and a Master’s of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School. She lives in a 130-year-old church parsonage with her husband Don and two dogs, Magi and Moses. She is the author of Jump Start This Church. SHADOW OF DEATH: A Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery, is her first novel.

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Shadow of Death

A Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery

A charming and clever traditional mystery debut set at a bucolic Welsh convent, The Shadow of Death introduces Sister Agatha, a mystery-loving nun who finds herself in the midst of a real-life murder case.
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The sisters of Gwenafwy Abbey have cherished their contemplative life—days spent in prayer, reflection, tending the Convent’s vegetable gardens and making their award-winning organic cheese, Heavenly Gouda. Life seems perfect, except for Sister Agatha, a die-hard mystery fan who despairs of ever finding any real life inspiration for her own novel. That is, until the Abbey’s sexton is found dead under an avalanche of gouda. Despite the reservations of the local constable, Sister Agatha is convinced it’s murder and the game is afoot.

Armed only with the notes she’s scribbled during her favorite podcast, How to Write a Mystery Novel, as well as lessons learned from crime heroes ranging from Hercule Poirot to Stephanie Plum, Sister Agatha leads the nuns of Gwenafwy Abbey (and her unwitting sidekick, Father Selwyn) as they begin a race against time to resolve the death of Jacob, save the Abbey, exonerate a beloved postulant, and restore the good name of their cheese. Perfect for fans of G. M. Malliet and M. C. Beaton.

Praise for Shadow of Death

A peaceful valley, a tranquil convent, a happy band of nuns. Life is sweet until a corpse in the cheese store, a sister with a secret, and a budget-obsessed bishop plunge Gwenafwy Abbey into crisis.
You'll be rooting for Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn all the way in this delightful tale.
And you won't see the last twist coming.

Catriona McPherson, bestselling and multi-award-winning author of Dandy Gilver and A Most Misleading Habit

Pour yourself a nice cup of warm Glengettie tea and prepare to be immersed in this delicious and charming story about a feisty Anglican nun, a small Welsh convent and an accidental death...that might just be murder. Sister Agatha is sure to appeal to fans of that other great Agatha.